The presentation of the second and third part of the “mobility package” is one of the most important dossiers from now until the end of the year. The director-general of mobility services and transport (DG MOVE) at the European Commission, Henrik Hololei, made this assertion during discussions with MEPs at the transport committee on 7 September.
Although the first part of the package published on 31 May last (see EUROPE 11799) has provoked a lengthy written response at the Council (see EUROPE 11804) and European Parliament (see EUROPE 11811), particularly with regard to social issues, Mr Hololei provided a number of indications about the future proposals but did not specify exactly what the text will consist of.
The Commission is therefore expected to present proposals and initiatives this autumn on combined transport, clean vehicles and alternative fuel infrastructure plans.
The European Commission is also expected to formulate proposals very soon on rail passenger rights, in an effort to improve the effectiveness of the regulation (1371/2007) in force. In reply to questions from MEPs, Mr Hololei expressed his wish to find a balanced solution, so that Union passengers would effectively be able to enjoy their rights.
The director-general of DG MOVE ultimately indicated that a review of the directive (2000/59) on port facilities for receiving ship-generated waste and cargo residues would be proposed this autumn.
Brexit. In his reply regarding the consequences of the United Kingdom leaving the Union on transport policy, particularly the airline sector, Mr Hololei explained that his team was ready to work on post-Brexit and that this work could begin when the two parties had reached an agreement on the terms of the British exit from the European Union.
Henrik Hololei called on MEPs to speed up the negotiations with the Council on the revision of the European aviation safety agency statutes (see EUROPE 11820) and said that digitalisation, security and infrastructure were expected to remain at the top of the Commission agenda in 2018. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)